What is a Gastrostomy Tube (G-Tube)?
A gastrostomy tube (G-tube) is a feeding tube that is surgically inserted into a baby's stomach to provide nutrition, fluids and medications. It is often recommended for infants who cannot safely or effectively get enough nourishment by mouth because of feeding or swallowing challenges.
While the G-tube ensures your baby receives the nutrition they need, many infants can continue working toward breastfeeding or bottle-feeding when appropriate.
Caring for a Baby with a G-Tube
Caring for a baby with a G-tube can feel overwhelming at first, but most parents and caregivers become confident with the routine after a short period of hands-on practice. Before your baby is discharged from the NICU, our nursing and feeding specialty teams will walk you through daily care steps, including how to check tube placement, keep the skin around the site clean and dry, and recognize signs of irritation or infection that should be reported to your care team.
Every baby's feeding plan is different, and your baby's care team will work with you to determine the right formula or breast milk volume, feeding schedule, and pump settings for your child's needs. As your baby grows, these needs may change, so it's normal to have follow-up appointments to adjust the plan over time.
If you have questions or concerns after you get home, don't hesitate to reach out to your child's care team rather than waiting for a scheduled visit. Common concerns like leakage around the tube, granulation tissue, or questions about bathing and clothing choices are easily addressed with a quick call, and catching small issues early helps prevent bigger ones down the road.
Helpful Links
G-Tube Education: Home Feeding Pump
Learn about the supplies, how to operate the pump, how to change the G-tube dressing, and more.
Educación sobre tubo G: Bombas de alimentación en el hogar
Aprenda sobre los suministros, cómo usar la bomba, cómo cambiar el vendaje de la sonda de gastrostomía (G-tube) y mucho más.
